The Watchtower — January 1, 1989

“Into All the Earth Their Sound Went Out”

IN PSALM 19, David extols the glories of God’s physical creation and goes on to express warm appreciation of Jehovah’s law, reminders, orders, commandments, and judicial decisions. The apostle Paul too showed appreciation for these things. He quoted from this psalm and extended its application to the vital work of true Christians. Of these he said: “Into all the earth their sound went out, and to the extremities of the inhabited earth their utterances.”​—Romans 10:18.

These “utterances” are of life-and-death concern to all mankind today, for Jehovah’s judicial decisions are about to be executed on the wicked system of things on earth. (Zephaniah 2:2, 3; 3:8) Mankind certainly needs to know about the good news of Jehovah’s Kingdom. Wherever you look today, there are disunity, lawlessness, crime, immorality, broken families. Oh, yes, there is talk of peace, but the great powers continue to build weapons that are ever more sophisticated, while the membership of the ‘nuclear club’ keeps on extending to ever more nations. Conditions on earth clearly fit “the last days” described by Paul at 2 Timothy 3:1-5.

Who will be saved out of this mess, and how? Paul answers plainly, quoting the prophecy at Joel 2:32: “Everyone who calls on the name of Jehovah will be saved.” (Romans 10:13) But how can the peoples of earth ‘call on the name of Jehovah’? Why, a great many do not even know that Jehovah is God’s name! How can these people be helped? Paul answers that preachers must be sent to them.​—Romans 10:14-16.

Happily, Jehovah has sent forth his Witnesses to inform the people that God’s Kingdom is at hand and that it will mean salvation to everlasting life for those who come to know God and his Son, Jesus Christ. (Isaiah 43:10, 12; Luke 21:25, 26, 31; John 17:3) This good news is being sounded forth “into all the earth.”

Millions are giving heed to this preaching, as is evidenced by the worldwide total of 9,201,071 who attended the meeting that memorialized Jesus’ death, on April 1, 1988. During that year, a peak of 3,592,654 Kingdom proclaimers was reached for the world field, and 239,268 new ministers were baptized​—a 3.6-percent increase over the previous year. Faithful missionaries laid much of the groundwork for this increase, as described later in this magazine. But in recent years, hundreds of thousands of local Witnesses, those who ‘have put faith in the things heard,’ have also imbibed the pioneer spirit and are daily ‘declaring the good news of good things.’ An average of 455,561 Witnesses have been reporting as pioneers, an increase for the year of 4.4 percent. As a result, a grand total of 785,521,697 hours was spent in preaching, more than double the total hours just 6 years ago.

The chart on the following four pages of this magazine shows in detail how extensive that preaching is. We invite your study of this 1988 report of worldwide Christian activity.

[Chart on page 4-7]

1988 SERVICE YEAR REPORT OF JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES WORLDWIDE

(See bound volume)

Jesus’ Life and Ministry

The Responsibility of Discipleship

AFTER leaving the house of a prominent Pharisee, who apparently is a member of the Sanhedrin, Jesus continues on toward Jerusalem. Great crowds follow him. But what are their motives? What is really involved in being his true follower?

As they travel along, Jesus turns to the crowds and perhaps shocks them when he says: “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own soul, he cannot be my disciple.”

What does Jesus mean? Not that his followers should literally hate their relatives. Rather, they must hate them in the sense of loving them less than they love him. Jesus’ forefather Jacob is said to have “hated” Leah and loved Rachel, which meant that Leah was loved less than her sister Rachel.

Consider, too, that Jesus said a disciple should hate “even his own soul,” or life. Again what Jesus means is that a true disciple must love Him even more than he loves his own life. Jesus is thus emphasizing that becoming his disciple is a serious responsibility. It is not something to be undertaken without careful consideration.

Hardship and persecution are involved in being Jesus’ disciple, as he goes on to indicate: “Whoever is not carrying his torture stake and coming after me cannot be my disciple.” Thus, a true disciple must be willing to undergo the same burden of reproach that Jesus endured, even including, if necessary, dying at the hands of God’s enemies, which Jesus is soon to do.

Being a disciple of Christ, therefore, is a matter that the crowds following him need to analyze carefully. Jesus emphasizes this fact by means of an illustration. “For example,” he says, “who of you that wants to build a tower does not first sit down and calculate the expense, to see if he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, he might lay its foundation but not be able to finish it, and all the onlookers might start to ridicule him, saying, ‘This man started to build but was not able to finish.’”

So Jesus is illustrating to the crowds following him that before becoming his disciples, they should be firmly decided that they can fulfill what is involved, even as a man who wants to build a tower makes sure before he begins that he has the resources to complete it. Providing another illustration, Jesus continues:

“Or what king, marching to meet another king in war, does not first sit down and take counsel whether he is able with ten thousand troops to cope with the one that comes against him with twenty thousand? If, in fact, he cannot do so, then while that one is yet far away he sends out a body of ambassadors and sues for peace.”

Jesus then emphasizes the point of his illustrations, saying: “Thus, you may be sure, none of you that does not say good-bye to all his belongings can be my disciple.” That is what the crowds following him, and, yes, everyone else who learns of Christ, must be willing to do. They must be ready to sacrifice everything they have​—all their belongings, including life itself—​if they would be his disciples. Are you willing to do this?

“Salt, to be sure, is fine,” Jesus continues. In his Sermon on the Mount he said that his disciples are “the salt of the earth,” meaning that they have a preserving influence on people, even as literal salt is a preservative. “But if even the salt loses its strength, with what will it be seasoned? It is suitable neither for soil nor for manure,” Jesus concludes. “People throw it outside. Let him that has ears to listen, listen.”

So Jesus shows that even those who have been his disciples for some time must not weaken in their determination to continue. If they do, they will become useless, an object of ridicule to this world and unfit before God, in fact, a reproach upon God. Hence, like strengthless, contaminated salt, they will be thrown outside, yes, destroyed. Luke 14:25-35; Genesis 29:30-33; Matthew 5:13.

◆ What does it mean to “hate” one’s relatives and oneself?

◆ What two illustrations does Jesus give, and what do they mean?

◆ What is the point of Jesus’ concluding comments about salt?

“The Hand of Jehovah Was With Them”

“Thus in a mighty way the word of Jehovah kept growing and prevailing.”​—ACTS 19:20.

1. (a) What complaint did enemies of Christianity make in the first century C.E.? (b) What followed wherever the missionary Paul preached the good news of God’s Kingdom, and what was always with the early Christians?

MORE than 1,900 years ago, enemies of the Christian message and opposers of the missionary apostle Paul complained: “These men that have overturned the inhabited earth are present here also, . . . and [they] act in opposition to the decrees of Caesar, saying there is another king, Jesus.” (Acts 17:6, 7) Wherever the Christian missionary Paul made known the good news of Jehovah’s Kingdom, there was action and reaction, and often persecution. Other early Christians also suffered persecution. But always “the hand of Jehovah was with them.”​—Acts 11:21.

2. Who initiated the Christian missionary activity, and how?

² Who had initiated this vital Christian missionary activity? It was Jesus, a unique man with a stirring message and an unusual method for propagating it. Remember that Jesus, the Son of God, came to the Jewish people with a startling announcement about the Kingdom of God. But they were only interested in their own salvation by works of the Law.​—Matthew 4:17; Luke 8:1; 11:45, 46.

“To All the Nations”

3. What prophecy by Jesus must have surprised his Jewish disciples, and why?

³ Thus, we can imagine the surprise of Jesus’ Jewish disciples when he told them three days before his death: “And this good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations; and then the end will come.” His disciples must have wondered how they could ever preach the good news “to all the nations.” How could such a small body of believers ever accomplish such a staggering assignment?​—Matthew 24:14; Mark 13:10.

4. What command did the resurrected Jesus give to his disciples?

⁴ Later, the resurrected Jesus added a command, saying: “All authority has been given me in heaven and on the earth. Go therefore and make disciples of people of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit, teaching them to observe all the things I have commanded you.” Thus they were commissioned to take their Master’s message to “people of all the nations.”​—Matthew 28:18-20.

5, 6. (a) How did the preaching of the good news of God’s Kingdom reach the Gentiles, and with what result? (b) How did the elders in Jerusalem respond when Peter related to them his experience with the Gentile Cornelius?

⁵ This came to include preaching to Gentiles, which proved to be a challenge. Peter’s attitude over three years later is proof of that. By means of a vision, Peter was told to eat defiled creatures as food. When God indicated to him that things formerly considered defiled were now to be viewed as clean, Peter was perplexed. Then Peter was directed by God’s spirit to visit the house of the Gentile Cornelius, a Roman centurion. There, he perceived that it was God’s will for him to preach to Cornelius, though he had previously thought contacts with people of other races to be unlawful. As Peter was speaking, holy spirit fell upon that Gentile family, and this indicated, in effect, that the field for Christian missionary activity must now expand to include the non-Jewish world.​—Acts 10:9-16, 28, 34, 35, 44.

⁶ When Peter explained this development to the elders in Jerusalem, “they acquiesced, and they glorified God, saying: ‘Well, then, God has granted repentance for the purpose of life to people of the nations also.’” (Acts 11:18) Now the Gentile nations could freely receive the good news of Christ and of his Kingdom!

Missionaries to the Nations

7. How did Christian missionary activity begin to spread in the lands around the Mediterranean, and how did Jehovah view this?

⁷ The preaching work, which had gathered momentum after the martyrdom of Stephen, now took on a different dimension. With the exception of the apostles, the congregation in Jerusalem had scattered. At first, those persecuted Jewish believers preached only to Jews in Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch. “However, . . . some men of Cyprus and Cyrene . . . began talking to the Greek-speaking people, declaring the good news of the Lord Jesus.” How did Jehovah view this missionary activity to the nations? “The hand of Jehovah was with them, and a great number that became believers turned to the Lord.” Thanks to the boldness of those early Christians, effective missionary activity was beginning to spread in the lands around the Mediterranean. But more was yet to come.​—Acts 4:31; 8:1; 11:19-21.

8. How did God indicate a decisive move for the expansion of the missionary work?

⁸ About 47-48 C.E., God, through holy spirit, indicated a decisive move for the expansion of the missionary work. The record at Acts 13:2-4 tells us: “The holy spirit said: ‘Of all persons set Barnabas and Saul apart for me for the work to which I have called them.’ . . . Accordingly these men, sent out by the holy spirit, went down to Seleucia [the seaport of Syrian Antioch], and from there they sailed away to Cyprus.” How thrilling that must have been for Paul and Barnabas​—sailing to their first foreign assignment! The apostle Paul was spearheading the Christian missionary activity. He was also laying a foundation for a work that would be completed in our day.

9. What did the apostle Paul accomplish by means of his missionary tours?

⁹ Paul went on to make three recorded missionary tours plus his journey to Rome as a prisoner. In the course of these, he opened up the work in several cities in Europe and preached the Kingdom message in countries and islands that today are known as Syria, Cyprus, Crete, Turkey, Greece, Malta, and Sicily. He may even have reached Spain. He helped establish congregations in many cities. What was the secret of his effective missionary activity?

Effective Teaching

10. Why was Paul so effective in his missionary activity?

¹⁰ Paul imitated Christ’s way of teaching. Therefore he knew how to relate to people. He knew how to teach and how to train others as teachers. He based his teaching on the Scriptures. He did not try to impress others with his own wisdom but, rather, reasoned from the Scriptures. (Acts 17:2, 3) Paul also knew how to adapt to his audience and how to use the local setting as a springboard for his message. As he said: “I have made myself the slave to all, that I may gain the most persons. And so to the Jews I became as a Jew . . . To those without law I became as without law . . . To the weak I became weak, that I might gain the weak. I have become all things to people of all sorts, that I might by all means save some.”​—1 Corinthians 9:19-23; Acts 17:22, 23.

11. What indicates that Paul and his companions were effective missionaries, and how widespread was the Christian ministry?

¹¹ Paul and his companions were effective missionaries. By perseverance and endurance, they established and strengthened Christian congregations everywhere they went. (Acts 13:14, 43, 48, 49; 14:19-28) The early Christian ministry was so widespread that Paul could eventually write about “the truth of that good news which has presented itself to you, even as it is bearing fruit and increasing in all the world . . . , and which was preached in all creation that is under heaven.” Truly, early Christian missionary activity affected people.​—Colossians 1:5, 6, 23.

12. What caused the authentic Christian missionary work to cease for a time?

¹² However, by the beginning of the second century C.E., apostasy was creeping into the Christian congregation, even as Jesus and the apostles had warned. (Matthew 7:15, 21-23; Acts 20:29, 30; 1 John 2:18, 19) In the centuries that followed, theology and pagan doctrine submerged the Kingdom message. Christendom sent out missionaries, not to preach the true Kingdom of God, but to impose on defenseless natives​—often with the sword—​the kingdom of their political masters and sponsors. Authentic Christian missionary work ceased but not forever.

13. How did a missionary campaign get started in modern times, and what was accomplished by the end of 1916?

¹³ Toward the close of the 19th century, Charles T. Russell, the first president of the Watch Tower Society, saw the need for missionary activity. He thus organized an extensive witnessing campaign, and he himself visited many cities in the United States, as well as traveled the world by ship to visit as many countries as possible. His Bible-based writings were published in 35 languages. It is said that he traveled more than a million miles as a public lecturer and preached more than 30,000 sermons before his death in 1916.

14. What did Joseph F. Rutherford do to further the missionary activity?

¹⁴ His successor, Joseph F. Rutherford, also recognized the vital need for missionary activity. In the early 1920’s, he sent out capable men to different countries to help get the preaching work established. Missionaries pioneered this Kingdom work in Spain, South America, and West Africa. In 1931 an appeal was made for volunteers to reinforce the work in Spain. Three young men from England responded and served there under the most difficult and arduous circumstances for four years until the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War in 1936. Then they had to flee for their lives.

15. What took place in the 1940’s to expand the missionary work significantly?

¹⁵ During the decade of the 1940’s, better things were to come in missionary activity. The third president of the Watch Tower Society, Nathan H. Knorr, had a team of zealous men working with him. Evidently under the direction of holy spirit, in 1942 he saw the need to open up a missionary school in preparation for the post-World War II challenge. In the midst of that world war, he took the initiative, and the Watchtower School of Gilead was inaugurated in northern New York State in February 1943. With four instructors, it gave Bible-based training for missionary service to over a hundred zealous pioneer ministers, male and female, every six months. Has their resultant activity been effective?

16. (a) How many Witnesses were preaching in 1943, and how does that compare with today? (b) What part have the missionaries had in this increase? Explain.

¹⁶ In 1943 there were only 126,329 Witnesses preaching in 54 countries. What is the situation today? Now, 45 years later, there are 28 times as many, over three and a half million active ministers in 212 countries and islands of the sea. A significant part of this increase has been due to the fine foundation laid by the more than 6,000 missionaries who have graduated from the Gilead School. These have come from 59 countries and have been sent out to 148 different lands over the course of the last five decades. With their help, instead of just over a hundred thousand Witnesses for the whole world, as there were 45 years ago, there are now ten countries that have each more than a hundred thousand ministers preaching and teaching the good news. In most of these nations, the Gilead missionaries have been in the vanguard of the evangelizing work.

17. What are three basic factors that have made both the early and the modern Christian missionary work effective?

¹⁷ Whether we refer to the early or the modern Christian missionary work, there are basic factors that have made it effective. One is the direct contact with people that results from the house-to-house ministry and informal witnessing, as well as the home Bible study arrangement. (John 4:7-26; Acts 20:20) Another factor is the direct and simple Bible-based message that highlights the Kingdom of God as the only permanent solution for mankind’s problems. (Acts 19:8; 28:16, 23, 30, 31) And many of our missionaries are serving in underdeveloped countries where the need for God’s righteous rule is very evident. A third factor is the love that Christ taught and that our modern missionaries manifest in their daily dealings with people of all kinds and origins. There is no question that, over the past 45 years, Watch Tower missionaries have made a major contribution to the global expansion of Jehovah’s organization.​—Romans 1:14-17; 1 Corinthians 3:5, 6.

Pioneer Spirit Takes Hold

18. Who else have imbibed the same spirit of missionary zeal as the Gilead graduates?

¹⁸ No doubt the zealous example of the Gilead graduates stimulated others with a desire to be full-time ministers. Today, there are hundreds of thousands of other witnesses of Jehovah who have imbibed the same spirit of missionary zeal. These too are pioneers in the real sense, following in the steps of Jesus, “the Pioneer of their salvation.”​—Hebrews 2:10; 12:2, Moffatt.

19. What have many Witnesses with the pioneer spirit volunteered to do, and how do they feel rewarded?

¹⁹ Since the 1960’s it has become very difficult to send missionaries into a number of countries. The Watchtower Bible School of Gilead continues to supply missionaries, to the extent possible, according to the need in foreign lands. However, there is a tremendous field worldwide for those Witnesses who have the true pioneer spirit. Many have volunteered to make their own arrangements to serve in lands where the need is greater. Are you one who could join them? Such ones often comment that hardships and sacrifices are compensated for over and over again by the great joy of feeding Kingdom truths to sheeplike ones in developing countries. They are rewarded a hundredfold in finding new “brothers and sisters and mothers and children” and in sharing with these the wonderful hope of everlasting life in “the coming system of things.”​—Mark 10:28-30.

20. (a) Who are doing the greater part of the preaching in many countries? (b) How is it that Japan reports a total of more hours of field service yearly than almost any other country? (c) What question would we do well to consider?

²⁰ Moreover, there are hundreds of thousands of Jehovah’s servants today who report sacred service each month as regular or auxiliary pioneers. Most of these work diligently in their home territories. In many countries, these do the greater part of the preaching, and they often call at the same homes week after week. Their Kingdom hope is reflected in their bright appearance and joyful attitude as they make new friends and cultivate much interest in their territories. More pioneers mean many more hours spent in praising God. For more than a decade, Japan, where the vast majority of Jehovah’s Witnesses are former Buddhists, has reported a total of more hours of field service annually than any other country outside the United States. That is because close to one half of its Kingdom publishers are pioneering. Can you too arrange your affairs to share in this grandest of privileges, the pioneer service?

21. (a) How can other Witnesses whose situation does not enable them to enroll as regular pioneers still show the pioneer spirit? (b) How can young ones show the pioneer spirit?

²¹ There are other Witnesses who are “zealous for fine works.” (Titus 2:14) They include older folk, those in poor health, many with family responsibilities, and youths still in school whose situation may not permit them to enroll as regular pioneers. These too can show the pioneer spirit by giving encouraging support to the pioneers, sharing with them as possible in the service, and maintaining a positive attitude toward their own witnessing opportunities. Young folk can make full-time Kingdom service their goal and, once they are baptized, share in auxiliary pioneering from time to time. Like young Timothy, they can ponder over these things in order to make spiritual advancement along with all of God’s people.​—1 Timothy 4:15, 16.

22. Whatever our situation in life, what should we make our determination, and with what fine result?

²² Whatever our situation in life, may all of us be moved by Jehovah’s spirit to share fully in his service. May “the hand of Jehovah” continue to be with each one of us so that it can be said with regard to our humble efforts that “in a mighty way the word of Jehovah kept growing and prevailing.”​—Acts 11:21; 19:20.

Questions for Review

◻ How did the Christian missionary work get started, and how extensive was it to become?

◻ What role did the apostle Paul have in expanding missionary work?

◻ How was missionary work revived in modern times?

◻ What factors have made missionary and pioneer service effective?

◻ How can we imbibe the pioneer spirit today?

[Chart on page 13]

Kingdom Activity in Ten Countries​—1988

(All of these reported more than 100,000 publishers)

Country Peak of Average Hours of Memorial

Publishers Pioneers Preaching Attendance

U.S.A. 797,104 96,947 161,478,732 1,822,607

Mexico 248,822 32,117 58,061,457 1,004,062

Brazil 245,610 22,725 44,218,022 718,414

Italy 160,584 25,477 43,354,687 330,461

Nigeria 134,543 14,022 27,800,623 398,555

Japan 128,817 52,183 60,626,840 297,171

Germany 125,068 8,416 22,020,942 215,385

Britain 113,412 11,927 22,103,713 211,060

Philippines 107,679 21,320 26,337,621 305,087

France 103,734 9,189 21,598,308 205,256

[Picture on page 10]

Paul and Barnabas depart to pioneer missionary work

Scenes from the Promised Land

Nations Gather at Megiddo

“RESEARCHERS blow hot and cold over world Armageddon,” reported a scientific article on whether a nuclear war would bring on a freezing “nuclear winter” or a searing “nuclear summer.”

Perhaps you have seen such comments that link “Armageddon” and our critical times. What is “Armageddon”? You may want to know, since your life is involved.

Look above at the aerial view of Megiddo. This was a strategic site in ancient Israel. The apostle John used its name when he wrote of “the place that is called in Hebrew Har–Magedon [Mountain of Megiddo],” or Armageddon. (Revelation 16:16) Knowing the background of Megiddo illuminates those words.

You can see its location on the accompanying map. It virtually overlooked two principal roads. The Carmel Mountains blocked the N​—S route between Egypt in the south and Damascus or other cities toward the Euphrates in the north. So armies and trading caravans were forced through a low pass beside Megiddo, the pass on the right side of the photograph. The N​—S road through it intersected in the Jezreel Valley with the important route between Tyre and the Jordan Valley, or Samaria and Jerusalem. Sitting astride these routes, Megiddo could virtually dominate those passing by, and the valley in front of Megiddo became a place of decisive battles.

For example, it was here that Judge Barak defeated Canaanites under army chief Sisera, who had 900 iron-scythed war chariots. (Judges 4:1-3, 12-16; 5:19) Later, Pharaoh Necho led a powerful Egyptian force of soldiers and chariots up the coastal route (hence its name, Via Maris, or Way of the Sea) to reinforce the Assyrians near the Euphrates. For some reason, Judean king Josiah decided on an international confrontation with Necho. But where? Though it was some 55 miles [90 km] north of Jerusalem, Josiah chose the plain near Megiddo.​—2 Chronicles 35:20-22; Jeremiah 46:2.

He knew that the Egyptians had to pass there, and he may have felt that he would have the advantage, since he would be close to an Israelite stronghold. As you can see, Tell (mound) Megiddo is quite large. The ancient city was formidable. Solomon fortified Megiddo, evidently building massive stone walls and a huge protective gate.a (1 Kings 9:15) On the left side of the tell, you can see a large, oblong pit, which was the entrance to an intricate water-supply system. A steep staircase led down to a long tunnel chipped through the underlying rock, giving the Israelites access to springwater while they were protected from attack. Archaeologists have also discovered remains of a stable for some 450 horses, perhaps from the time of Ahab’s reign.​—Compare 1 Kings 9:19.

In the decisive battle near Megiddo, Josiah was mortally wounded, and he died on the way back to Jerusalem. (2 Kings 23:28-30) This may have been the cause of ‘the wailing in the valley plain of Megiddo’ mentioned at Zechariah 12:11. Not long after Josiah’s defeat, Babylon extended its militaristic influence into weakened Judea.​—2 Kings 24:1, 2, 12-14; 2 Chronicles 36:1-6.

With such background information, you can appreciate why in the Revelation given to the apostle John, Megiddo could be drawn upon in foretelling the gathering of ‘the kings of the entire inhabited earth’ ‘to the war of the great day of God the Almighty.’ No single spot on earth, certainly not the valley plain dominated by Tell Megiddo, could contain all the nations opposed to God. But Har–Magedon, or Armageddon, suitably represents the situation for that decisive war.​—Revelation 16:14, 16; 19:11-21.

So let politicians and newsmen mistakenly think of Armageddon as a nuclear war that would devastate our globe. With the history of Megiddo in mind, you can understand the matter more accurately. You can appreciate that Armageddon is the situation into which the nations will soon be brought for the great war when God will wipe out the present wicked system, opening the way for a righteous new world.​—2 Peter 3:11-13.

[Footnotes]

[Map on page 17]

(For fully formatted text, see publication)

Great Sea

To Damascus

To Tyre

Sea of Galilee

Acco

Caramel Range

Megiddo

Via Maris

Joppa

To Egypt

Beth-Shean

Dothan

Samaria

Shechem

To Jerusalem

Jordan River

Mi 0 10

Km 0 10 20

[Credit Line]

Based on a map copyrighted by Pictorial Archive (Near Eastern History) Est. and Survey of Israel

[Picture on page 16]

YOU will find a larger view of Megiddo in the 1989 Calendar of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Its six pictures will be discussed this year in Watchtower articles, which you may want to retain with the calendar for future use.

[Credit Line]

Pictorial Archive (Near Eastern History) Est.

[Picture on page 17]

This Egyptian carving can help you to visualize Pharaoh Necho’s advance past Megiddo, where he defeated King Josiah

[Credit Line]

Pictorial Archive (Near Eastern History) Est.

“To Jehovah Belongs the Battle”

“I am coming to you with the name of Jehovah of armies, the God of the battle lines of Israel, whom you have taunted.”​—1 SAMUEL 17:45.

1, 2. (a) What challenge faces the army of Israel under the command of King Saul? (b) How do the men of the army of Israel react to Goliath’s challenge, and who now appears on the scene?

TWO mighty armies confront each other across the valley of Elah, southwest of Jerusalem. On one side is the army of Israel, led by the fearful King Saul. On the other side is the Philistine army with its gigantic champion, Goliath. Likely, Goliath’s name means “Conspicuous.” He is some nine feet [2.7 m] tall and is armed to the hilt. Goliath is shouting blasphemous defiance at Israel.​—1 Samuel 17:1-11.

² Who will meet Goliath’s challenge? “As for all the men of Israel, on their seeing the man, why, they went fleeing on account of him and were very much afraid.” But look​—a mere stripling youth appears on the scene! His name is David, which means “Beloved.” He proved to be “beloved” also to Jehovah because of his courageous devotion to righteousness. Samuel has already anointed David to be Israel’s future king, and Jehovah’s spirit is operating powerfully upon him.​—1 Samuel 16:12, 13, 18-21; 17:24; Psalm 11:7; 108:6.

3. How does David equip himself for battle, but how is Goliath equipped?

³ On hearing Goliath “taunt the battle lines of the living God,” David offers himself to fight the giant. When Saul consents, David sallies forth but not with the traditional armor and weapons offered by Saul. He is equipped only with a staff, a sling, and five smooth stones​—in contrast with Goliath, who is carrying a spear with a 15-pound [7 kg] head and wearing a 126-pound [57 kg] copper coat of mail! As the mighty Goliath and his shield bearer advance, ‘the Philistine calls down evil upon David by his gods.’​—1 Samuel 17:12-44.

4. How does David reply to the giant’s challenge?

⁴ How does David reply? He hurls back the giant’s challenge, crying out: “You are coming to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin, but I am coming to you with the name of Jehovah of armies, the God of the battle lines of Israel, whom you have taunted. This day Jehovah will surrender you into my hand, and I shall certainly strike you down and remove your head off you; and I shall certainly give the carcasses of the camp of the Philistines this day to the fowls of the heavens and to the wild beasts of the earth; and people of all the earth will know that there exists a God belonging to Israel. And all this congregation will know that neither with sword nor with spear does Jehovah save, because TO JEHOVAH BELONGS THE BATTLE, and he must give you men into our hand.”​—1 Samuel 17:45-47.

5. What is the outcome of the battle, and to whom goes the credit?

⁵ David boldly advances to the battle. His slingstone flies toward its mark, and Goliath slumps to the earth. Yes, Jehovah has rewarded David’s faith and courage by directing that small missile unerringly to the giant’s forehead! David runs forward, unsheathes Goliath’s own sword, and strikes off the bully’s head. The Philistines flee in confusion. Truly, it could be said: “TO JEHOVAH BELONGS THE BATTLE”!​—1 Samuel 17:47-51.

6. (a) Why has Jehovah preserved the details of this ancient battle? (b) What assurance do God’s servants need when enduring persecution from foes who may be compared to Goliath?

⁶ Why has Jehovah preserved this detailed battle account in his Word, even though the battle was fought some 3,000 years ago? The apostle Paul tells us: “All the things that were written aforetime were written for our instruction, that through our endurance and through the comfort from the Scriptures we might have hope.” (Romans 15:4) Today, many faithful servants of God are enduring reproach and outright persecution from foes who may be compared to Goliath. As enemy pressures increase, all of us need the comforting assurance that “TO JEHOVAH BELONGS THE BATTLE.”

The Issue of Sovereignty

7. What issue is of concern to all of God’s people in all nations, and why?

⁷ Goliath strode forth in defiance of the God of Israel. Similarly, in this 20th century the totalitarian political system of government has come to the fore, challenging Jehovah’s sovereignty and trying to bully his servants into worshipful submission to the State. This issue is of concern to God’s people in all nations. Why so? Because the prophesied Gentile Times, or “appointed times of the nations,” ended in 1914, ushering in the present period of “distress of nations, with perplexity.” (Luke 21:24-26; NW, King James Version) The Gentile Times started when the nations began to trample on earthly Jerusalem in 607 B.C.E. and covered the next 2,520 years up to 1914, when Jehovah enthroned Jesus as his Messianic King in heavenly Jerusalem.​—Hebrews 12:22, 28; Revelation 11:15, 17.a

8. (a) How did the kings of the earth respond to the prophetic command to “serve Jehovah with fear”? (b) What worldly champions today taunt Jehovah and bully his witnesses?

⁸ A great change took place in 1914. No longer could the Gentile nations rule without divine interference. But did “the kings” then ruling obey the prophetic command to “serve Jehovah with fear,” acknowledging his newly installed King? No! Instead, they “massed together as one against Jehovah and against his anointed one,” Jesus. Pursuing their own ambitions, they came to be “in tumult” in the Great War of 1914-18. (Psalm 2:1-6, 10-12) To this day, world domination is a burning issue before mankind. Satan’s world continues to produce political champions, comparable to Goliath’s kinsmen, the Rephaim. These dictatorial rulerships taunt Jehovah and try to bully his witnesses into submission, but as always, the battle and the victory belong to Jehovah.​—2 Samuel 21:15-22.

A Modern-Day “Saul”

9. Who today have corresponded with King Saul’s style of action, and in what ways?

⁹ Where does King Saul come into this picture? Earlier, because of his rebelliousness, Jehovah had determined to ‘rip away from him the royal rule of Israel.’ (1 Samuel 15:22, 28) Now, Saul had failed to uphold Jehovah’s sovereignty in the face of Goliath’s challenge. Furthermore, he proceeded next to persecute David, Goliath’s conqueror and the one anointed by Jehovah to replace Saul’s line of rulership. How strikingly the clergy of Christendom have fitted into this style of action! They have rebelled against Bible truth, being part of the great apostasy that ‘does not obey the good news’ about our Lord Jesus and his incoming Kingdom. They have utterly failed to advocate Jehovah’s universal sovereignty and have bitterly persecuted Jehovah’s anointed witnesses and their companions, the great crowd. Jehovah will take those apostates away ‘in his fury.’​—2 Thessalonians 1:6-9; 2:3; Hosea 13:11.

10. (a) In 1918, what manifesto was published in London by a group of prominent clergymen? (b) Instead of following through on the 1918 manifesto, what course have the clergy pursued?

¹⁰ During the first world war, the compromising ways of Christendom’s clergy became clearly apparent. Obviously, Jesus’ prophecy in Matthew chapters 24 and 25, and Luke chapter 21 was being fulfilled. In fact, in 1918 a group of prominent clergymen in London, England, representing the Baptist, Congregational, Presbyterian, Episcopal, and Methodist Churches, published a manifesto. This stated: “The present crisis points toward the close of the times of the Gentiles.” But they did not follow through on that declaration. Already, the clergy of Christendom had been deeply involved in supporting both sides of the first world war. Instead of recognizing Jesus’ presence in Kingdom power, they submitted to the thinking of worldly nations​—that the people should continue to be dominated by divisive Gentile political powers, even by tyrants like Goliath, rather than unite under God’s Kingdom.​—Matthew 25:31-33.

No Compromise!

11. Who have not compromised on the issue of sovereignty, and whose example do they follow?

¹¹ Do God’s devoted servants compromise on this issue of sovereignty? Far from it, as the Bible record clearly shows! (Daniel 3:28; 6:25-27; Hebrews 11:32-38; Revelation 2:2, 3, 13, 19) Loyal Christians today uphold Jehovah’s sovereignty and Kingdom despite all the cruel reproaches and persecutions that the bullying modern-day Goliath heaps upon them. Thus, they follow in the steps of Jesus, “the Son of David,” who boldly waged spiritual warfare in behalf of Jehovah’s sovereignty, while at the same time maintaining strict neutrality toward the world’s conflicts and politics. In prayer to his Father, Jesus stated that his followers, true Christians, are also “no part of the world.”​—Matthew 4:8-10, 17; 21:9; John 6:15; 17:14, 16; 18:36, 37; 1 Peter 2:21.

12. (a) Who have struck down the modern-day Goliath, and how so? (b) Their viewing “Goliath” as dead has had what effect on Jehovah’s people?

¹² The Davidlike remnant of anointed Christians today have struck down the modern-day Goliath. How so? In that they have declared themselves unequivocally on Jehovah’s side of the controversy over world domination. A “RESOLUTION (Adopted by the International Bible Students Association in Convention at Cedar Point, Ohio, Sunday, September 10, 1922)” set the pattern. It included the following:

“10. We further hold and testify that this is the day of God’s vengeance against Satan’s empire visible and invisible;

“11. That the reestablishment of the old world or order is an impossibility; that the time is here for the establishment of the kingdom of God through Christ Jesus; and that all the powers and organizations that do not willingly submit to the righteous reign of the Lord will be destroyed.”

“The Son of David,” as Head of the Christian congregation, no doubt directed the hurling of that “stone” of Kingdom truth. (Matthew 12:23; John 16:33; Colossians 1:18) Resolutions adopted at annual conventions from 1922 to 1928 underlined this position. From the viewpoint of Jehovah’s people, “Goliath” lay dead, beheaded. Dictatorial human rulership has been powerless to coerce the courageous advocates of Jehovah’s sovereignty into compromising.​—Compare Revelation 20:4.

13. (a) How did Christendom’s clergy compromise during the oppression in Hitler’s Germany? (b) What did the book Mothers in the Fatherland report about the uncompromising Witnesses?

¹³ An outstanding modern example of bullying by Goliathlike political rulerships took place in Hitler’s Germany. The mainline religions, both Catholic and Protestant, compromised woefully in paying homage to Nazism, idolizing the führer, saluting his swastika flag, and blessing his troops as they sallied forth to slaughter their fellow believers in neighboring nations. So-called Christians of all faiths​—but not Jehovah’s Witnesses—​were caught up in the patriotic fervor. The book Mothers in the Fatherland reported: “[Jehovah’s Witnesses] were sent to concentration camps, a thousand of them were executed, and another thousand died between 1933 and 1945. . . . Catholics and Protestants heard their clergy urge them to cooperate with Hitler. If they resisted, they did so against orders from both church and state.” How bloodguilty both Church and State became!​—Jeremiah 2:34.b

14. Why are Jehovah’s Witnesses often persecuted?

¹⁴ To this day, cruel oppression of Jehovah’s Witnesses continues in many lands, just as Jesus foretold. But under all circumstances, these Christians zealously keep on preaching “this good news of the kingdom.” (Matthew 24:9, 13, 14) The irony of the situation is that the Witnesses are recognized in most countries as honest, clean-living citizens, exemplary in upholding law and order. (Romans 13:1-7) Yet they are often persecuted. Why? Since worship belongs exclusively to Jehovah, they refrain from bowing to representations of the State or hailing them. (Deuteronomy 4:23, 24; 5:8-10; 6:13-15) Uncompromisingly, they worship Jehovah, “him alone,” making Jehovah the Sovereign Lord of their lives. (Matthew 4:8-10; Psalm 71:5; 73:28) Being “no part of the world,” they maintain Christian neutrality toward the world’s politics and wars.​—John 15:18-21; 16:33.

15, 16. (a) Whose example can Witnesses of all ages follow when the modern-day Goliath threatens them, and how was this illustrated by a six-year-old Christian girl? (b) Christian parents want to train their little ones to be like whom?

¹⁵ The modern-day Goliath often threatens these integrity keepers, who put the worship of Jehovah ahead of idolatrous practices. (Compare Revelation 13:16, 17.) But Witnesses, young and old, can follow David’s example by fearlessly answering the challenge. In a Latin-American land, a six-year-old Christian girl had received fine home training from infancy. (Compare Ephesians 6:4; 2 Timothy 3:14, 15.) This had contributed to making her the brightest student in her class at school. But her Bible-trained conscience caused her to refrain from taking part in idolatrous class ceremonies. When she explained her stand, the teacher exclaimed that a girl of her age was too young to have a conscience! The six-year-old proved the teacher wrong by giving an impressive witness.

¹⁶ It is hoped that all Christian parents will train their little ones so that these may follow youthful David’s example by taking their stand when Goliathlike worldly authority threatens them. May they be like the three faithful Hebrew children, like Daniel and many others of Bible record in courageously ‘holding a good conscience’ in harmony with Bible principles.​—1 Peter 2:19; 3:16; Daniel 3:16-18.

As Historians See It

17. (a) English historian Toynbee warned of the development of what? (b) How does the modern-day Goliath class test the loyalty of God’s people?

¹⁷ The well-known English historian Arnold Toynbee warned of the development in our time of the “grim shape of a pagan worship of sovereign national states,” describing this also as “a sour ferment of the new wine of democracy in the old bottles of tribalism.” Those who claim that their own nation is superior to all others, even to the point of worshiping the State, have been manipulated by rulers and regimented in order to carry out their policies, whether good or bad. As a result, the Goliath class has arisen to test the loyalty of God’s people, who love the land of their birth but decline to worship the State and its symbols.

18. What searching questions does the conscientious Christian need to answer?

¹⁸ As was the case in Nazi Germany, today there are searching questions for the conscientious Christian to answer: Should I believe that the nation I live in is favored by God more than any other? Especially now, in this most dangerous period of human history, is it logical and sensible to view one small portion of the earth as superior to all other portions? Or to view one segment of the human family as superior to all other segments?

19. What does the greatest Historian of all, Jehovah, tell us about thinking and acting as though one nation of men were superior to every other nation?

¹⁹ Let us consider the viewpoint of the greatest Historian of all​—Jehovah God, Author of the Bible. The apostle Peter tells us: “For a certainty I perceive that God is not partial, but in every nation the man that fears him and works righteousness is acceptable to him.” And should we not always act in harmony with the apostle Paul’s inspired statement that God “made out of one man every nation of men, to dwell upon the entire surface of the earth”? Why should one nation of men think and act as though it were superior to every other nation? Speaking of all men, Paul said: “We are the progeny of God.”​—Acts 10:34, 35; 17:26, 29.

20. By what will God’s people no longer be challenged in Jehovah’s new system, and what will our next study discuss?

²⁰ In Jehovah’s new system, lovers of righteousness will no longer be challenged by the Goliathlike totalitarian political systems, for partisan pride and hatred will be things of the past. (Psalm 11:5-7) Wherever they live on earth, God’s people have already put such nationalism behind them, in obedience to Jesus’ command to ‘love one another just as he loved them.’ (John 13:34, 35; Isaiah 2:4) Our next study shows what kind of love that is!

[Footnotes]

Questions for Review

◻ What is pictured by the giant bully Goliath?

◻ In what ways do God’s servants show no compromise on the issue of sovereignty?

◻ Why can God’s people say that the modern-day Goliath has been struck down?

◻ Who follow King Saul’s style of action, and how?

◻ How have Jehovah’s people acted like David in the face of oppression by the modern-day Goliath?

United Under a Banner of Love

“Above all things, have intense love for one another.”​—1 PETER 4:8.

1. What kind of love do we see among God’s people today, and what have anointed Christians been proclaiming since 1922?

DO WE see that kind of love among God’s people today? Certainly we do! This is a love that centers around recognition and support of Jehovah’s sovereignty, even as David supported it. Notably since the year 1922, anointed brothers of Jesus Christ, “the Son of David,” have been proclaiming earth wide that God’s Kingdom is at hand and that the champions of Satan’s oppressive rule face execution by God’s appointed Judge, Jesus Christ.​—Matthew 21:15, 42-44; Revelation 19:11, 19-21.

2. Why could David be called ‘a man agreeable to Jehovah’s heart’?

² David was ‘a man agreeable to Jehovah’s heart.’ This was apparent in his love for Jehovah and His righteousness​—traits that even cowardly King Saul acknowledged were in David—​yes, in his qualities of fearlessness, wholehearted devotion to Jehovah, leadership, and humble submission to theocratic order.​—1 Samuel 13:14; 16:7, 11-13; 17:33-36; 24:9, 10, 17.

3. What was Jonathan’s attitude toward David, and why?

³ Following his triumph over Goliath, David reported back to Saul. It was then that another lover of righteousness came forward. He was Jonathan, eldest son of King Saul. “It came about that, as soon as [David] had finished speaking to Saul, Jonathan’s very soul became bound up with the soul of David, and Jonathan began to love him as his own soul.” (1 Samuel 18:1) Rather than fleshly valor and expertise with the sling, it was David’s burning zeal to clear God’s name of reproach, his selflessness, and his implicit reliance on Jehovah that won Jonathan’s heartfelt admiration.​—Compare Psalm 8:1, 9; 9:1, 2.

4. What did Jonathan do in recognition of David’s being the one anointed to be king?

⁴ Though Jonathan was some 30 years older than David, he became united with this young warrior in a lasting bond of friendship. “And Jonathan and David proceeded to conclude a covenant, because of his loving him as his own soul. Further, Jonathan stripped himself of the sleeveless coat that was on him and gave it to David, and also his garments, and even his sword and his bow and his belt.” (1 Samuel 18:3, 4) What an outstanding display of recognition on Jonathan’s part! Jonathan would normally have been Saul’s heir. Yet he expressed a warm, principled love for David and submission to him as the one anointed to be king, the one preeminently intent on upholding Jehovah’s name and sovereignty.​—2 Samuel 7:18-24; 1 Chronicles 29:10-13.

5. What did Jonathan recognize when it came to theocratic warfare?

⁵ Jonathan himself was also a fighter for righteousness. He had declared that “there is no hindrance to Jehovah to save by many or by few.” Why? Because Jonathan recognized that there is always a need to seek divine guidance for victory in theocratic warfare. When Jonathan unwittingly committed an offense for which Saul sentenced him to death, he humbly accepted that judgment. Happily, the people redeemed him.​—1 Samuel 14:6, 9, 10, 24, 27, 43-45.

Expressing Loyal Love

6. How did Jonathan’s loyal love come to David’s rescue?

⁶ Saul became jealous of David’s fame as a warrior and sought to kill him, but Jonathan’s loyal love came to the rescue! The account reads: “As for Jonathan, Saul’s son, he took great delight in David. So Jonathan told David, saying: ‘Saul my father is seeking to have you put to death. And now be on your guard, please, in the morning, and you must dwell in secrecy and keep yourself hidden.’” On that occasion, Jonathan placated Saul, so that David was spared. But David’s further successes in “fighting against the Philistines and striking them down with a great slaughter” reawakened Saul’s animosity. Again he determined to kill David, so that David fled.​—1 Samuel 19:2-10.

7. When Jonathan met the fugitive David, what did they say to each other in reaffirming a covenant?

⁷ In time, the fugitive David again met up with Jonathan, who declared: “Whatever your soul may say I shall do for you.” The two reaffirmed a covenant before Jehovah, and David promised that he would never cut off loving-kindness from Jonathan’s household​—a promise that he faithfully kept. “So Jonathan swore again to David because of his love for him; for as he loved his own soul he loved him.”​—1 Samuel 20:4-17; 2 Samuel 21:7.

8. Why did Jonathan and David meet secretly in a field, and what took place on that occasion?

⁸ King Saul became adamant in his resolve to kill David. Why, Saul even hurled a spear at his own son Jonathan when this one spoke up in behalf of David! So Jonathan met David secretly in a field. “As for David, . . . he fell on his face to the earth and bowed three times; and they began kissing each other and weeping for each other, until David had done it the most. And Jonathan went on to say to David: ‘Go in peace, since we have sworn, both of us, in the name of Jehovah, saying, “May Jehovah himself prove to be between me and you and between my offspring and your offspring to time indefinite.”’” So they parted, and David became a fugitive in the wilderness of Ziph.​—1 Samuel 20:41, 42.

9, 10. (a) How did Jonathan further encourage David at what was probably the last meeting between the two? (b) When Jonathan and Saul were slain by the Philistines, what dirge did David compose, and how did he climax it?

⁹ Lovingly, Jonathan continued to encourage David. As the record states: “Jonathan the son of Saul now rose up and went to David at Horesh, that he might strengthen his hand in regard to God. And he went on to say to him: ‘Do not be afraid; for the hand of Saul my father will not find you, and you yourself will be king over Israel, and I myself shall become second to you; and Saul my father also has knowledge to that effect.’ Then the two of them concluded a covenant before Jehovah.”​—1 Samuel 23:15-18.

¹⁰ Apparently, that was the last meeting between David and his loyal companion Jonathan. Later, when both Jonathan and Saul were slain in battle with the Philistines, David composed a dirge, “The Bow.” In it he expressed respect for Saul as Jehovah’s anointed but climaxed his song with the words: “Jonathan slain upon your high places! I am distressed over you, my brother Jonathan, very pleasant you were to me. More wonderful was your love to me than the love from women. How have the mighty ones fallen and the weapons of war perished!” (2 Samuel 1:18, 21, 25-27) David was then anointed for the second time, as king over Judah.

Modern-Day Parallels

11, 12. (a) What kind of love did David and Jonathan exemplify? (b) What did the intense love between David and Jonathan foreshadow?

¹¹ Since “all Scripture is inspired of God and beneficial for teaching,” what do we learn from the account about David and Jonathan? (2 Timothy 3:16) We note that there is a love “more wonderful . . . than the love from women.” True, “the love from women” can be pleasant and fulfilling when Jehovah’s laws concerning marriage are honored. (Matthew 19:6, 9; Hebrews 13:4) But David and Jonathan exemplified a finer aspect of love, in line with the commandment: “Listen, O Israel: Jehovah our God is one Jehovah. And you must love Jehovah your God with all your heart and all your soul and all your vital force.”​—Deuteronomy 6:4, 5.

¹² David and Jonathan were united in expressing that love as they fought to clear Jehovah’s name of all the reproach that His enemies cast upon it. In doing this, they also cultivated ‘intense love for each other.’ (1 Peter 4:8) The companionship that they enjoyed in this respect went even beyond the command at Leviticus 19:18: “You must love your fellow as yourself.” Indeed, it foreshadowed the kind of love indicated in Jesus’ “new commandment, that you love one another; just as I have loved you, that you also love one another.” Jesus’ love was self-sacrificing not only in his complete submission to Jehovah’s will but also in his willingness even to “surrender his soul in behalf of his friends.”​—John 13:34; 15:13.

One United “Flock”

13. What group of Kingdom proclaimers has appeared on the scene particularly from 1935, and what unity do the anointed Christians have with them?

¹³ Anointed Christians of the “little flock” have borne the brunt of the battle in contending with the modern-day Goliath. Since 1935, however, they have been joined by Kingdom proclaimers of another and larger “fold.” These “other sheep” have become united with the remaining anointed “sheep” as “one flock” under the “one shepherd,” “the Son of David,” in a superlative bond of loving unity​—like that existing between Jonathan and David.​—Luke 12:32; John 10:16; Ezekiel 37:24.

14. What paralleled Saul’s attempts to kill David, and Jonathan’s lovingly identifying himself with David?

¹⁴ Even as this Jonathan group was beginning to multiply into a great crowd, World War II burst forth, so that both the anointed and their companions were severely tested. Those were years of vicious persecution, often instigated by the clergy. This paralleled Saul’s attempts to slay the anointed David and, later, Jonathan when the latter lovingly identified himself with David. What intense love the David and Jonathan classes showed toward each other during that period! Jesus’ illustration at Matthew 25:35-40 often had a literal fulfillment.a

15. (a) What course taken by the Witnesses contrasts with that taken by the modern Saul class? (b) What in our day may parallel the “bad spirit from Jehovah” that terrorized King Saul?

¹⁵ How the integrity keeping of Jehovah’s Witnesses contrasts with the course of the modern Saul class! The Witnesses, who are “no part of the world,” have obeyed Jesus’ command to “love one another” on a global scale. (John 15:17-19) On the other hand, in the two world wars Christendom’s clergy on both sides prayed to their “god” for victory, while millions of soldiers were being slaughtered by their fellow religionists of other nations. The “bad spirit from Jehovah” that terrorized Saul may well correspond to the result of the angels’ pouring out the plagues of Revelation chapter 8. It is evident that the clergy of Christendom do not have Jehovah’s holy spirit.​—1 Samuel 16:14; 18:10-12; 19:10; 20:32-34.

16. (a) How did the clergy use two world wars to oppress Jehovah’s people? (b) In recent years, why can it be said that a modern-day Saul has persisted in hounding God’s people?

¹⁶ In 1918 the clergy used the war crisis to persuade the political powers in the United States to take action against the responsible officers of the Watch Tower Society and finally imprison them. (These Bible students were later completely exonerated.) During the second world war, Jehovah’s Witnesses were banned in the domain of the Axis powers and in most British Commonwealth countries, often as a result of religious pressure. For example, note the above facsimile of a letter written by the Archbishop of Sydney (later a cardinal) just prior to the banning of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Australia. When the ban was contested in the High Court of Australia, the trial judge, Mr. Justice Starke, described it as “arbitrary, capricious and oppressive.” The ban was removed on June 14, 1943, and the government was assessed damages. In more recent years, religious pressure on a number of governments in Africa and Asia has resulted in ruthless oppression of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Thus a modern-day Saul​—the clergy of Christendom—​has persisted in hounding God’s people.

17. (a) How have Jehovah’s Witnesses faced up to the continuing politico-religious pressures? (b) What is demonstrated by the worldwide unitedness of the Witnesses?

¹⁷ During the 1980’s, how have Jehovah’s Witnesses faced up to continuing politico-religious pressures? Why, just as David faced up to Goliath, and David and Jonathan to King Saul! They are fearless and determined to keep integrity with regard to the issue of sovereignty, for they know that God’s Kingdom will triumph. (Daniel 2:44) In the face of persecution, they present a united front, encouraging one another in an international bond of love such as the world has never before seen. As neutrals in time of war, they do not shed the blood of their fellow believers in other nations. (Micah 4:3, 5) Thus they demonstrate that they are the group that Jesus referred to when he said: “By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love among yourselves.” (John 13:35) As a global brotherhood, Jehovah’s Witnesses have ‘clothed themselves with love, the perfect bond of union,’ a bond that transcends all racial, tribal, and national barriers.​—Colossians 3:14.

Showing “Intense Love”

18. (a) What parallel is there today in Jonathan’s love for David, and how is this evidenced? (b) What has resulted worldwide from the uncompromising stand of the David class?

¹⁸ Recall that “Jonathan’s very soul became bound up with the soul of David, and Jonathan began to love him as his own soul.” What a remarkable parallel there has been in these “last days”! (2 Timothy 3:1, 14) Throughout the senseless turmoil of this violent age, there has been one group, Jehovah’s Witnesses, that has maintained a loving global unity. As Christian neutrals, they have honored their Creator as Sovereign Lord of all mankind. (Psalm 100:3) Oh, the modern-day Rephaim​—political kinsmen of “Goliath”—​may keep taunting spiritual Israel. (2 Samuel 21:21, 22) And the modern-day Saul​—Christendom’s clergy—​may continue to make trouble for the David and Jonathan classes. (1 Samuel 20:32, 33) But “to Jehovah belongs the battle.” As Sovereign Lord, he will gain the final victory for his loyal servants. Observing the uncompromising stand of the David class, millions​—in all lands—​of the Jonathan group, even including former persecutors, have joined them under Christ’s ‘banner of love.’b​—1 Samuel 17:47; Song of Solomon 2:4.

19, 20. (a) What are some of the highlights of the activity of the Witnesses as indicated by the chart on pages 4-7? (b) What was the growth rate of the Witnesses during the decade of 1979-88? (c) Why can it be said that the Witnesses are a people truly united worldwide, and what question therefore arises?

¹⁹ You can review the expanding activity of these millions of Witnesses by consulting the chart on pages 4-7 of this magazine. During the decade of 1979-88, the number of preachers of the good news of God’s established Kingdom has increased from 2,186,075 to 3,592,654, a 64.3-percent growth. Worldwide, these are a people truly united in sharing one common belief, one common service to God, and one consistent devotion to the moral principles of the Bible. It is to this close-knit international group that Jesus’ words apply today: “If you observe my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have observed the commandments of the Father and remain in his love.”​—John 15:10; compare 1 Corinthians 1:10.

²⁰ Though they preach in upwards of 200 different tongues, these witnesses of Jehovah speak the “pure language” of truth as they serve God “shoulder to shoulder.” In this, they imitate the loving example of David and Jonathan. (Zephaniah 3:9; 1 Samuel 20:17; Proverbs 18:24) If you are not already united with God’s people, would you not like to be part of the modern-day Jonathan class? You can make that your goal, and Jehovah’s Witnesses will show intense love in helping you to reach it.

[Footnotes]

Questions for Review

◻ How did Jonathan express loyal love for David?

◻ What kind of love was foreshadowed by the love between David and Jonathan?

◻ How have Christendom’s clergy acted like King Saul when he hounded David?

◻ What today is comparable to Jonathan’s love for David?

◻ What does the unitedness of the Witnesses worldwide demonstrate?

[Box on page 27]

St. Mary’s Cathedral

Sydney

August 20, 1940.

The Rt. Hon. W. M. Hughes, M.H.R.,K.C.,

Attorney General,

CANBERRA.

Dear Mr. Hughes:

I am grateful to you for your letter of the 9th inst. regarding representations made to you by Mr. Jennings, M.P.

It is, of course, appreciated that the greatest possible care must be exercised by you in such a delicate matter as that regarding which the representations were made.

If, however, the only doubt you have arises from the fact that these people profess to be spreading the doctrines of Christianity, I would most respectfully suggest that your judgment of their doing this be based, not on their profession, but on facts. For facts, I submit their own publications and their own words and deeds, attested by the Police of New South Wales. Anything more contrary to Christianity, it would be difficult to imagine.

The Commissioner of Police in N.S.W. has expressed his hope that the Commonwealth authorities will declare the society in question an illegal body so that Police may be in a position to take more effective action with respect to it.

I should like to renew here to yourself personally the expression of sympathy I already transmitted to the Prime Minister on the occasion of last week’s dreadful air tragedy. It must have been a frightful blow to lose three colleagues simultaneously in such tragic circumstances.

With every good wish, I remain,

Yours faithfully,

ARCHBISHOP OF SYDNEY

Why Should We Fear God?

“FEAR God and give him glory, because the hour of the judgment by him has arrived.” (Revelation 14:7) These stirring words were first heard by the aged apostle John in a vision. Uttered by an angel flying in midheaven, they were directed particularly to people living during this time of the end, the opening period of “the Lord’s day.”​—Revelation 1:10.

Yet how inappropriate these words may seem to some! Many even doubt the existence of God, let alone fear him. For a number of those who claim to be Christian, the idea of fearing God seems out of date. The love of God they can accept. But fearing him seems to smack more of the Middle Ages. Is this how you view the matter?

Jesus’ Fear of God

If so, consider what it means to be a Christian. According to the Bible, being a Christian involves following closely in the footsteps of Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 2:21) Now, while there is no doubt that Jesus loved God, the Bible makes it very plain that he also feared him. Isaiah, speaking prophetically about Jesus, said that he would have “the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of Jehovah.” (Isaiah 11:2) Interestingly, though, this fear was not a burden on Jesus. We should not think of it as being the way a child fears a brutal father or a population is terrorized by an oppressive ruler. In fact, Isaiah also prophesied about Jesus: “There will be enjoyment by him in the fear of Jehovah.” (Isaiah 11:3) How can you enjoy being afraid of someone?

The fact is, in the Bible the word “fear” has a number of shades of meaning. There is the physical fear or dread that we feel when someone wants to do us harm. Thus, the Israelite armies “were very much afraid” of Goliath. (1 Samuel 17:23, 24) Then there is the fear of the startlingly unexpected or unknown, such as Zechariah felt when suddenly confronted by Jehovah’s angel in the temple. (Luke 1:11, 12) However, the fear Jesus felt for his Father was unlike either of these.

Rather, the original Hebrew and Greek words used in the Bible for “fear” often refer to a profound reverence and awe of God. Such was the godly fear that Jesus had and that the angel was encouraging everyone today to cultivate. This respectful awe, or fear, takes root in our heart when we meditate on Jehovah’s might and power and compare it with our own absolute insignificance. It grows when we contemplate his mighty works, and it is also developed by prayerfully remembering the fact that he is the Supreme Judge, with the power to give life as well as to punish with everlasting death.

Such fear is vital because it holds us back from doing wrong and from taking God for granted, as it were. It helps us to avoid an attitude such as: ‘God will forgive me. He knows that I am weak,’ when we are faced with temptation and might rather give in than fight. As Proverbs 8:13 tells us: “The fear of Jehovah means the hating of bad.” And Proverbs 16:6 adds: “In the fear of Jehovah one turns away from bad.” Adam and Eve failed to exercise this proper, healthful fear of Jehovah when they disobeyed him. The result? They felt another, negative kind of fear and hid from his presence. Adam said: “Your voice I heard in the garden, but I was afraid.”​—Genesis 3:10.

Unlike Adam and Eve, Job was a man who remained faithful to Jehovah despite the most severe testing. Why? Jehovah himself said that Job was ‘a man who feared him and therefore would turn away from bad.’ (Job 1:8; 2:3) Today we must be sure that Jehovah can say the same thing about us! The fear of God is proper, and it must be a part of our thinking.

Fear of God and Fear of Man

Fear of God is a natural feeling that gives us the same kind of security that a father who inspires deep respect gives to his children. Such fear also helps to banish the unpleasant, negative fear of man, which is a snare. (Proverbs 29:25) One who did not learn this lesson was Urijah, the son of Shemaiah, who preached in Jerusalem along with Jeremiah before 607 B.C.E. Unlike Jeremiah, Urijah allowed fear of the king to ensnare him. He stopped preaching and fled from his assignment. Eventually, the king caught him and had him killed. (Jeremiah 26:20-23) How could Urijah have avoided that sad fate? By developing a fear of Jehovah that was stronger than his fear of man.

Jesus, after his resurrection and ascension to heaven, counseled his followers: “Do not be afraid of the things you are about to suffer.” (Revelation 2:10) History demonstrates the need of that counsel, since Christians​—from the Roman arenas to the Nazi concentration camps—​have faced terrifying situations. How have they been able to conquer the fear their enemies tried to inspire? By applying Jesus’ words: “Do not fear those who kill the body and after this are not able to do anything more. But I will indicate to you whom to fear: Fear him who after killing has authority to throw into Gehenna.”​—Luke 12:4, 5.

At Psalm 19:9 we are taught: “The fear of Jehovah is pure, standing forever. The judicial decisions of Jehovah are true; they have proved altogether righteous.” So there is nothing negative about the fear of God. It is pure and protective and makes a servant of God stronger than his enemies. Like Jesus, a Christian finds satisfaction in this fear in the same way that he enjoys all other blessings from Jehovah.​—Isaiah 11:3.

Hence, it is entirely appropriate for the angel to urge all mankind today to fear God. Without proper godly fear, we will likely give in to wrong impulses or succumb to fear of man. If we cultivate the proper form of fear, we will be helped to act wisely. “The fear of Jehovah is the start of wisdom.” (Proverbs 9:10; Psalm 111:10) True, we should love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. (Mark 12:30) And we should also be in awe of him, respecting him, or, in the words of the angel, “fear God and give him glory, because the hour of the judgment by him has arrived.”​—Revelation 14:7.

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If Urijah had had a deep fear of Jehovah, fear of man would not have been a snare to him

Kingdom Proclaimers Report

Jehovah Blesses Persistence

JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES feel a deep love for Jehovah God and responsibility to their fellowman, moving them to try to give everyone the opportunity to hear the good news of God’s Kingdom. (Matthew 24:14) That is why a sister was determined to preach to soldiers and their families at the military compound in her territory.

Each time she tried, she was denied entry by the captain in charge. She relates: “So I decided to see the commanding officer, a colonel. When I telephoned his secretary, he refused to put me through to the colonel. I planned to visit the colonel at his home, for he lived away from the barracks. When I did, he asked me where I came from. Fortunately, I was born on the small main island in Fiji. Out of respect he listened to my request and said he had heard of Jehovah’s Witnesses but had never had our work explained to him. It gave me a wonderful opportunity to witness to him, and he accepted three Bible study aids from me. He told me to be at his office at the barracks at 9:00 a.m. the next Tuesday. When another sister and I arrived, the guards had already been advised of our visit and told us that permission was granted for us to preach in the compound. The guard commander said: ‘I am now informing all officers that on Friday all doors are to be open to you, and even though all of us have different religions, yours could be the one for sounding the warning of the Kingdom of heaven and the end of the world.’

“When we arrived on Friday,” she continues, “a military sound car went through the camp announcing: ‘Two elderly women will be in the camp sounding a warning to you, so please open your doors and listen to them. Refrain from arguing with them or creating animosity.’ We worked the camp from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., placing 100 books and 200 magazines. And the result? Many return visits have been made and many Bible studies started.”

From another island in the South Pacific that was recently opened to the preaching work by special pioneers comes an interesting experience. These special pioneers are opposed by the United Church leaders. During the visit of the circuit overseer, they had difficulty making a return visit, as the village chief, influenced by the church leaders, refused to allow Jehovah’s Witnesses into the village. When they arrived, the chief was not there, so the interested person was called on and a fine witness was given. As they left, a large canoe was seen approaching, and obviously it had engine trouble, since people were paddling. Yes, it was the village chief arriving too late to stop the return visit. On returning home, the pioneers told the circuit overseer in pidgin: “Me fella thinkim might angel now breakim engine belong him.”

So Jehovah blessed the persistence of these brothers in obeying his command to preach “this good news of the kingdom.”

Words of Faith From a Death Cell

On January 6, 1940, the young Austrian Franz Reiter wrote his mother from a Nazi detention center shortly before his execution: “Being here, I could still change my mind, but with God this would be disloyalty. . . . With what I knew, if I had taken the [military] oath, I would have committed a sin deserving death.”

If you were faced with death, would you compromise principles that you know to be right? Many Austrians refused to compromise. They had no share in Hitler’s political or military aggressions. Some died in his concentration camps. Strengthen your own conviction by reading a moving account of the integrity of Austrian Christians prior to and during World War II.

Also read the exciting reports about the activity of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Barbados and Ecuador, as well as an up-to-date picture of the work worldwide. It is all in the 1989 Yearbook of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

Please send, postpaid, the 1989 Yearbook of Jehovah’s Witnesses. I enclose $1 (U.S.).

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DÖW, Vienna, Austria